Waiting for the Laird

Willa Blair has quickly became one of my go to authors when I want something spellbinding and page turning.  An author that pulls the reader into the story from page one and doesn't let go.  Willa Blair has earned a permanent home on my keeper shelf!

Enjoyed this story very much and am looking forward to reading more by this author!

Enjoyed the way the author introduces the mysterious ghost to our characters. Very different approach and very intriguing. Thought the mystery and suspense scattered into the book was very well done and kept me riveted to the end.

A Highland haunted romance, with plenty of heart and passion. This is a fun one.

An old Scottish manor, Cairn Dubh, is owned by a widow, Lara MacLaren, and is under reconstruction to bring it back to its original glory as she and her husband had planned to do together before he died.  The reconstruction is being done by a local, Ian Paterson.  Lara is attracted to the contractor, but not able find out much personal information on him.  Yet, she keeps overhearing people call him Baron.  Obviously, Ian is drawn to Lara, too, and their feelings for each other seem timid and sultry at the same time.

During the reconstruction, Ian tells Lara the measurements of the rooms do not add up.  Eventually, they find a walled-off section in the manor.  Once they get through the wall, there are century old artifacts and memorabilia, including a huge portrait of a deer hound.  The brass nameplate indicates the deer hound is called Fergus.  Lara’s precocious twins have apparently already met Fergus, the ghost and made a friend of him.  Fergus and the twins have a prominent place in the story and, Fergus in the history of the manor.  Their antics are typical childhood entertainment.

Once Ian gets to know Lara and falls for her, he is wary of telling her of his connection to the manor and of his title.  Although a bit predictable, this is still a charming story.  When I first saw the cover on Net Galley, I did not care for it.  Having now read the story, the cover has more meaning and is fitting to the story.  Thank you Net Galley for sharing this story in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Waiting For The Laird	
Author: Willa Blair
Published: 10-19-2016		
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press		
Pages: 196	
Genre: Romance		
Sub Genre: Holidays; Ghosts; Paranormal
ISBN: 13-978-1509210701
ASIN: B01K5B7L3M 
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
My Rating: 4.5 Stars




I received a copy of Waiting For The Laird from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  
   
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Lara MacLaren, a recent widow, has hired Ian Patterson, an architect to help her remodel the Scottish Manor she and Angus started converting into an Inn before his death.  Ian jumps at the opportunity to get inside Cairn Dubh Manor to search for evidence of his rightful claim as heir to the estate and clan.  As the two work together their relationship evolves and Ian soon fears his secrets cost him his relationship with Lara and her twins, Amy and Alexander.  Is finding the evidence worth the cost of their future happiness? 




This is a must read for anyone who enjoys Scottish history based romances.  Willa Blair shows readers her talent of holding a reader captivated from the very beginning.  She lets her relationship between the characters to evolve at a believable pace.  Her characters are multidimensional and likeable. The plot is intriguing and the story flows smoothly and quickly.  My rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I really liked this book a nice fun read that you wont want to put down recommended to all.

Waiting for the Laird by Willa Blair is yet another fantastic Scottish Romance by this author! I adore her storytelling and was not disappointed in this intricately woven tale.

This is the story of young widow, Lara MacLaren and Ian Paterson, the handsome artitect she hires to help renovate her Scottish Inn, and Lara's mischievous young nine year old twins, Amy and Alexander. Set amidst the Scottish Cairn Dubh Manor. Steady paced with engaging characters and a uniquely intriguing storyline. Filled with secrets, a ghost, possibly, Scottish artifacts, Jacobite treasures, ancestry, second chances, romance and love.

A fun, heartwarming love story, that will capture readers hearts and hold them glued to the pages of this fabulous Scottish read. Lara's twins are a priceless addition to a magnificent story! Ian is afraid if he reveals his secret, he has an ancestry claim to the Manor, but will he lose Lara, her twins and the chance for a HEA and a family? Or will it destroy their budding romance? Can Ian convince Lara he loves her and the twins, that they're his future, or lose all he holds dear?

A magnificent story from start to finish! Willa Blair is a fantastic Scottish Romance storyteller! A must read for fans of Scottish Romance, Scottish history, and a delicious romance. Ms. Blair has a way of holding readers attention and capturing their hearts! A most enjoyable and satisfying Scottish Romance!

I received a complimentary copy.

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR

Although I am familiar with Willa Blair's Highland historical romances, this is the first contemporary book of hers that I have read. Though I tend to prefer the historical reads, I did enjoy this one. After all, with a setting in an old Highlands castle, a treasure to be found, and a ghost dog,what's not to like? It has been a year since Lara's husband died suddenly leaving her with nine year old twins and a partially restored castle. Ian Paterson has been hired to complete the restoration. Ian has secrets, at least secrets he is keeping from Lara. What will those secrets cost Ian? Lara? Is Lara ready for a relationship after widow hood? And just how does Fergus, the ghost dog figure into all of this? As stated before I prefer historical reads, but really enjoyed this one. It is a shorter book so it is a fairly quick read.

Lara, her husband and her twin daughter and son decided to buy a house in a small village in Scotland and reformed it. Unfortunately, in a trip back to the US, the husband, Angus, died unexpectedly. With the loss still fresh Lara decides that the best thing for her and her children is to go back to Scotland and finish the reforms in the house. To help with the construction and the reforms she hires Ian Paterson, a Scottish and handsome man who is interested in the house history and his connection to his own family and his new boss.

Add to the mix a bit of history and a ghost and you have a charming and romantic read.

‘We never had a chance to say goodbye. The thought always made her chest feel like hollowed-out shell, dry, brittle and ready to shatter into a thousand pieces’

Beautiful setting

When I read that the book was set in Scotland I decided to pick it up. It captures perfectly the rhythm and the life style of a small village. I liked the paranormal and the history element that was added to the story. I think it merged perfectly with the pace without overtaking it, as the romance was still the main focused.

Slow burning and heartfelt romance

The best part was the interactions between Lara and Ian. You can feel their attraction and the sparks raising as well as their reluctance to take a step on it, each for different reasons. It is described in a way that wants you to know more without being corny.

Second chances in life

This is a wonderful book about love and loss. It describes perfectly the stages of loss (the denial, the acceptance…) and how it affects each one in a different way and how we try to overcome it. I couldn’t help but feel sorry and sad for Lara when she was remembering or talking about her late husband. But in a way, it also tells you that time heals and that life brings second and third chances you just need to take them.

‘Lately, the strength of her yearning for him was beginning to fade, and although she supposed that was another step in the grieving process, it unsettled her’

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.  This is a sweet romance about a widow and the man renovating her home.  Neither was looking for love but it happened.  There is also a ghost dog who is a protector against a robber.  The book is an easy read and could be read by most ages.  There is a minimal  amount of sex and it is very vanilla.  It is a good read and I would recommend it.

Scottish Castle renovations reveal treasure, answers to heredity, and a guardian ghost.  Lara's husband had a dream of moving his wife and twins from California to a historical castle.  As the uncertainty of life presents itself the death of her husband leaves Lara with herself and children in a foreign keep in need of major repairs.  Hiring contractor Ian Paterson presents secrets and romance to Lara.  Quick read with a unique visitor. "A copy of this book was presented by  The Wild Rose Press via Netgalley with no requirements for a review.  I voluntarily read and the comments here are my honest opinion."

This is my first book by Willa Blair

What I liked:
The writing style 
The setting
Standalone 
HEA 

What I didn't like:
No chemistry between the main characters 

I will try another book by this author.